Honey Creek Stream Bank Repair

The Honey Creek project will stabilize 510 linear feet of actively eroding stream bank in Bethel Township, Miami County.  The project site is located on the Honey Creek Preserve (Miami County Park District Property).  Although stream bank erosion is a natural process, changes in water volumes and velocity from upstream development and a lack of riparian vegetation to stabilize the soil, has exaggerated the speed of erosion.  The project will involve reshaping the bank and installing natural erosion control methods, such as live plantings and biodegradable materials.   

Project Summary

Location: Bethel Township, Miami County, Ohio.

Site Description:

510 linear feet of stream restoration on the Honey Creek located between River Mile 0-1 is characterized by full bank failure and the encroachment of the stream into wetland preserve land. 

Project Description:

Phase I will require extensive background research about the volume and velocity of water carried by Honey Creek to determine the appropriate method of bank stabilization.

Phase II involves the re-shaping of 700 feet of eroding bank to a more stable slope and installing toe protection to prevent future slope failures.

Phase III will restore the riparian corridor by planting native trees along the slope and establishing a treed buffer area between the wetland and stream.

Project Partners: (alphabetical order)

Alloway Environmental Testing

City of Tipp City

Board of Directors, Honey Creek Watershed Assoc.

Miami Conservancy District

Miami County Park District

Miami County Soil and Water Conservation District

Veolia Water North America

KCI Technologies Inc.

City of Huber Heights

Tri-Cities North Regional Wastewater Authority

Miami County Pheasants Forever

Site Pictures

(Click to view larger image)

Farming up to the edge of the stream bank eliminates the natural riparian vegetation, which serves a crucial role in preventing erosion.

When the stream bank erodes, the sediments get deposited downstream, changing the dynamics of the system.

Changes in land use upstream also contribute to stream bank erosion.  Development increases the amount of impervious surfaces, causing more water to flow into the stream and at a faster rate.  Visit the stormwater management page to learn more.

Heavy sediment loads suffocate the critters living in the stream bed.  They also carry nutrients and other pollutants that can cause algae growth.